Harbourside Apartments

Harbourside Apartments sits right on the water, with fantastic views of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and the city skyline. They're particularly special at night. It's a modern apartment block, set in well-kept grounds. Guests kick back in the private pool and dining area -- and prepare their own meals on the communal barbecues. There's little in the way of common areas indoors, just a narrow lobby reception which has a classic style with pale walls and hints of ocean blue. Staff lay out breakfast pastries during the week, and there's a steady stream of guests coming and going, but the vibe is quiet and relaxed. The hotel attracts couples and families looking for a laid-back location away from the busy city hub. It works best for self-sufficient travelers who don't need a lot of extras.

Located in the upmarket waterfront neighborhood of McMahons Point, Harbourside Apartments are still within easy reach of Sydney's top attractions. There's a restaurant right on the harbor nearby, or it's a five-minute walk up the hill to restaurants and boutique stores in the charming village center. The hotel has superb views of the Harbour Bridge, and is just steps from McMahons Point jetty for the ferry across to Darling Harbour and downtown. Journey time is about 15 minutes. The location is also convenient for the business district of North Sydney, which is about a five-minute drive away. It's a 20-minute drive to Sydney's airport, or about a 50-minute journey via train from North Sydney Station (which involves changing at Central Station).

Apartments have a modern, coastal style -- with a mix of shabby chic and contemporary furniture pieces. Colors very much fit the landscape, with natural blues and browns against a canvas of white. There's a good spread of apartment sizes and most have views of either the bridge or the harbor. Entry-level Studio Apartments have an open layout, and most have street views, while high-end Two-Bedroom Harbour View Apartments have lovely dual aspect windows. The lack of air-conditioning is unusual, and may be a deal-breaker in the summer, though there are fans. All apartments have well-equipped kitchenettes with fridges, ovens with stovetops, microwaves, toasters, kettles, sinks, and refrigerators, plus dining space. Each units is also outfitted with a safe, flat-screen TV with Foxtel satellite channels, and an iron. Wi-Fi is available for a fee. Bathrooms vary in decor -- some are tiled white, while others are marble. All feature showers, toiletries, hairdryers, bathrobes, and mirrored wall cupboards.

As the hotel is best for self-catering, independent travelers, features are predictably limited here. A small pool area sits right on the waterfront, which shares the hotel's excellent city views. There are loungers, table seating, and guest barbecues -- which require booking. A private jetty to the front of the hotel can be used for swimming or water sports. There is no restaurant on-site, though the hotel does serve free pastries on weekday mornings in the lobby, which is a nice touch. Other useful facilities include a free car park and a coin-operated laundry room, but there is a fee for Wi-Fi.